"Is this really okay?"
Akatsuki patted Miyu's head, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes. In truth, she didn't know how to comfort her younger sister. Before her reincarnation, she seemingly had a very cute younger sister as well, but was she truly a qualified older brother back then?
No, for the girl who died on that night, she certainly wasn't a qualified brother. After all, she had never played with her even once; despite having so much time, she never truly spent any of it with her.
"Sister Akatsuki, you once told me and Brother that indecision leads to chaos. Besides, Illya is my only friend..."
Akatsuki patted Miyu's head and left immediately.
The next day.
"..."
Illya sighed at the alarm clock by her bed. The mission to collect the class cards was six-sevenths complete, with only the last one, the Berserker class card, yet to be recovered. "No matter what, there was no need to be so harsh!"
After being criticized by Miyu last night, Illya's mood was very low. She had even just entertained the idea of asking for a day off from school today to avoid meeting Miyu.
Then, she was criticized by Akatsuki again.
"If I don't see Illya at school today, face the consequences."
"With you saying that, how could I dare to run away?" Helplessly climbing out of bed, Illya turned off the alarm clock that was about to ring. After changing her clothes, she went to wash up.
"Eh? Brother? You're actually still home at this time? Is there no morning club practice today?"
"Yeah, I was busy until very late last night with my part-time job, so I took a leave from morning practice today," Shirou Emiya replied calmly while brushing his teeth. He looked at Illya with a hint of concern in his eyes. "On the other hand, Illya, you're up earlier than usual today."
Illya pouted and muttered in a low voice, "I was inexplicably woken up and lectured by Sister Akatsuki early this morning, and I couldn't fall back asleep after that." Shirou Emiya smiled. "Is that Miss Akatsuki? Dad and Mom's friend?"
After washing up, Illya and Shirou Emiya ate breakfast together. Before leaving, Shirou Emiya suddenly said, "Illya, if you run into any trouble, remember to talk to me. After all, as your brother, I will definitely do my best to help solve my sister's worries." Illya nodded. "I understand."
Just as Shirou Emiya disappeared at the end of the street, the door opposite Illya's house opened, and Miyu walked out expressionlessly in her school uniform.
"G-Good morning?"
Miyu gave Illya a faint glance and then left without looking back.
"I-I was ignored?!"
"Oh my, we've returned to how it was when we first met in an instant. Is this the heart of a young girl?"
Illya lowered her head, feeling a bit dejected, and dragged her feet toward school. "Am I really holding everyone back?"
When she reached school, she sat listlessly in her seat.
"Hmm? Illya, I feel like you don't have much energy today."
Katsura Mimi looked at Illya with confusion. A dejected Illya was a rare sight. Moreover, since Illya was stealing glances at Miyu's seat from time to time today, they guessed that something had happened between Illya and the mysterious transfer student, Miyu.
"Illya, there's something I've wanted to ask for a while. When did you and the transfer student get so close? When we went to visit you last time, you two..."
"It's not like that! That was just an accident!"
Kurihara Suzume was startled by Illya's sudden loud denial, then said with a mischievous grin, "Oho, so worked up. It seems there really is something going on." Illya's face flushed red. Just as she was about to explain further, Gakuzuka Ryuko grabbed Illya's shoulders as if she had realized something.
"Illya, have you and the transfer student hooked up?!"
"..."
Everyone looked at Ryuko speechlessly, not knowing what to say. After all, no matter how one explained things to an idiot, an idiot remained an idiot; that much was indisputable.
Seeing the sympathetic looks from everyone, Ryuko looked at them in confusion. "Did I guess wrong?"
"It's fine. I'll explain to Miyu during the lunch break."
During class, Illya was distracted. Even though she was reminded by Taiga Fujimura many times, she remained that way. Finally enduring until lunch break, Illya took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and walked toward Miyu.
Miyu was sitting by the window, quietly reading a book.
"Miyu..." Illya called out softly. Seeing Miyu slowly look up at her, she immediately said nervously, "W-Would you like to go get something to eat together?"
Miyu's gaze was very calm, but there was a clear sense of distance in it.
"Why does the atmosphere feel a bit tense? Could Ryuko have actually been right?!"
Without waiting for the others to guess further, Miyu coldly rejected Illya's invitation.
"That's why I don't really like children." Akatsuki lay in Matou Sakura's lap, enjoying the apples Matou Sakura had sliced by hand. "They're too immature, easily swayed by emotions, and become incredibly willful once their emotions collapse."
"Is saying that about Illya and the others a bit much? After all, she isn't the original 'vessel' of the Einzbern Family," Matou Sakura said softly with a gentle smile, not forgetting to feed a slice of apple into Akatsuki's mouth. Akatsuki chuckled. "Hardships can lead an immature life toward maturity. By making her a bit stronger now, we can save a lot of unnecessary trouble in the future."
"However, one shouldn't speak in absolutes. Children still possess some things that adults envy, such as indomitable courage and the like."
Akatsuki changed the subject and fed the piece of apple from her own mouth into Matou Sakura's. While the latter was blushing shyly, Akatsuki set the plate in her hand properly on the table.
Meanwhile, at school, Illya's eyes turned slightly red after being rejected. She bit her lip and stood there trembling. Katsura Mimi and the others quickly gathered around.
"Regardless, that tone was way too harsh." Kurihara Suzume patted Illya's shoulder. "Even if Illya caused her some trouble, there's no need to speak like that."
"It's okay." Illya forced a smile. "It's my fault. Next time, I'll definitely give her a big surprise!"
Although Miyu had clearly expressed that she no longer wanted to collect class cards with Illya, the values instilled in Illya by her mother since childhood prevented her from backing down due to Miyu's "harshness."
At Akatsuki's suggestion before she left, Irisviel and Kiritsugu Emiya had actively cultivated Illya's character and values when she was very young. Only after seeing the initial results did they leave the country, leaving Illya to be raised by the two maids.
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